The best part of the wedding day, for me, were the speeches. It was something I didn't think would play a massive part but listening to all the amazing words that my mum, Duncan and Duncan's brother said was truly touching and I could've listened to them over and over again.
I found it so hard to find 'the dress'. After having numerous conversations with people who had been married and them all saying 'when you find the dress you know it's the one', well I never got that feeling. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of dresses and they are all so beautiful it can be really distracting. Also going with a few people can be helpful but also a distraction as you are looking for their reactions to the dresses you try on constantly. I did a lot of online viewing of dresses and it wasn't until I tried on one (which was not the style etc that I would've gone for) and a complete stranger actually walked up to me, commented on how lovely the dress was on me, that I thought 'ok, this must be it'. I fell in love with it each time I tried it on and on the day I knew it was the one for me. It was a Justin Alexander dress - Chiffon Ball Gown with Beaded Portrait Neckline.
Thank you!! I know we all say 'it's such a small world' but it certainly is in the case of how I met our photographer. I went to a wedding show in Birmingham and I got approached to get a makeover done for a stage show they were doing. I hesitantly said yes and Ben was the one doing the photos. He was so lovely and really helpful in sharing his ideas with me. He even went to chat with my mum and sister. I knew then that I'd like to get Duncan to meet him so asked for his card. I got in contact with him, to find out he just lived up the road from us and he also had one more slot left for a wedding in 2016. He offered so much more than many other photographers and really understood that it was our special day and helped us make it our own. He never forced us to do any photos and captured natural and relaxed shots, expressing the wedding day itself. I actually totally forgot he was there! In a good way :-)
I found an amazing hairdresser through the power of Facebook called Katie (Katie's Hair) and I had a friend that did my makeup and another who did our cake.
This is a strange one but for me when trying on your wedding dress do one fitting, whether it be with the dress you want or a few, after you've had some food. This sounds strange but after you've had your wedding breakfast plus some drinks it can get very, let's say, close for comfort!
Also have a little dance around in the shop with it. Remember you have to have a first dance and whether that's going to be a side to side or expressive one you need to know you can move in it!
Finally, just enjoy every single moment! It's utterly amazing!!!